Bowline Around the Waist Rescue Drill

Students learn to tie a bowline around their own waist, the rescue knot that does not tighten, and use it in a drill where a partner pulls them out of a danger zone with the rope. Students practice safety knots and basic rescue procedures.

How to play

1. Explanation (4 min): the teacher demonstrates a bowline on a student: make a loop in the rope, go around the waist, and pass the tail up through the loop, around, and back down.
2. Partner practice (5 min): each student ties the knot ten times; the partner checks that the loop does not cinch when pulled.
3. Use cones to mark a "river" 6 yards wide; the victim waits inside, sitting, and the rescuer stands outside with the rope.
4. The rescuer tosses the rope to the victim, who ties a bowline around the waist; when the victim raises a hand, the rescuer pulls gently and walks backward to bring them out.
5. Time it from the toss until the victim is out; the partner checks the knot before pulling, or the attempt is repeated.
6. Each pair does four rescues, switching roles (5 min), and finishes with a round where the victim ties the knot eyes closed (2 min).

Rules

• Never tie a slip knot around the waist or neck; only a checked bowline.
• The rescuer pulls slowly and steadily and the victim walks; nobody is dragged along the ground.
• Before pulling, the rescuer asks "Ready?" and waits for an answer.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays the seated victim and ties the knot; the rescue slides a mat instead of walking.
• Visual impairment: practice the knot by touch, with the sequence counted aloud in three steps.
• Skill level: the fastest students teach the knot to the next pair and record how many tries they need.

Learning goals

• Safely tie a bowline around your own body.
• Apply a simple rope-rescue procedure outdoors.
• Communicate clearly before any risky move.

Equipment for a class of 25

• ropes: 13
• stopwatches: 3
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

The rabbit comes out of the hole, goes around the tree, and back down the hole memory trick helps a lot. Check every knot yourself during the first rescues.

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